Category: University of Georgia

We are 12 days away from the start of Georgia football, and Kirby is all set to address the Athens Touchdown Club later this evening. Additionally, there was a very slight and subtle coolness in the air this morning. Needless to say, it feels like an appropriate time to gaze in to the proverbial “crystal ball” and make some predictions about Georgia Football. I did the same thing last year about this time, and I was fairly optimistic when I predicted UGA would go 10 and 2 losing to Tennessee and Auburn. Obviously, I was wrong, but that’s no reason to stop predicting. Even so, this year may prove to be the most difficult season to prognosticate in a long time. Think about it, what do we really know about this team? What do we really know about the coaches? Who is going to play Quarterback? Basically, we don’t much of anything at this point. Regardless, I am going to ignore that reality, and convince you that I am a modern day soothsayer and quite possibly the next Nostradamus. So allow me to gaze into the crystal ball, peruse the tea leaves, and examine the tarot cards. Warning!! Spoilers are ahead.

UGA vs North Carolina Sept 3rd– The big question here will be who plays QB. I feel pretty sure that Greyson Lambert will be taking the first snaps in the Dome, and I do think Eason will play as well. But the story here will be the return of Nick Chubb. I think he runs for 150 + yards and 2 scores leading Georgia to a win. Still a close game I think. North Carolina is well coached, and played some good defense last year. Maybe I am blinded by my love for Georgia, but I just have a hard time envisioning a North Carolina win. On another note, how many times during the game do you think a Tarheel fan will say, “well actually, North Carolina was the first state chartered school to begin classes not Georgia”? My guess is somewhere in the thousands. (1-0)

UGA vs Nicholls Sept 10th– Not really going out on a limb here to say that Georgia will win. It will be the first home game in the “Smart Era”, and I am so excited I just about can’t stand it. I am hoping for good weather, and a temperature below 90 which is asking a lot. Ideally, Georgia will feel good about the quarterback position by the end of this game, but that could be asking a lot as well. (2-0)

UGA vs Missouri Sept 17th– The first SEC game is always a big one. It feels a little weird for it not to be against South Carolina, and going on the road is always risky. Missouri has some talent, but they have lost a great coach in Gary Pinkel. Nevertheless, Pinkel was replaced by someone on the staff so it could be business as usual for Mizz. They will be improved from 2015, but not enough to win this game. Georgia actually scores a few touchdowns this year, and wins by a couple scores. (3-0)

UGA vs Ole Miss Sept 24th– It appears that Ole Miss is living proof that sometimes cheating does pay off. I know, I know Ole Miss is still supposedly innocent until proven guilty, but come on do you really believe they haven’t broken the rules? Regardless of how they got the talent, they now have a good bit of it, and one of the best Quarterbacks in the conference coming back. Granted, they lost some good players last year, but I just think this one may be a tall order for the Dawgs. I hate to say it, but Georgia loses this one. (3-1)

UGA vs Tennessee Oct 1st– Tennessee seems to be the popular pick to win the SEC East. The only problem is that the media has historically been wrong almost every year when picking the East division. I don’t think this year is going to be any different, but I do think Tennessee will win this game. It will be a close one, and maybe a real heart breaker. The end of this game will be the low point of season for Georgia. (3-2)

UGA vs South Carolina Oct 8th– This game will be just what the doctor ordered for the Georgia. Kirby vs Muschamp round one and this round will go to Kirby. Will Muschamp is a good coach, but right now he just doesn’t have enough talent over in Columbia. Dawgs win this one big, and it marks the turnaround of the season. (4-2)

UGA vs Vanderbilt Oct 15th– Vandy always plays hard against the Dawgs, and this year will be no different. However, they won’t win this one. Georgia will be hitting their stride about this point and it won’t even be close. (5-2)

GEORGIA vs FLORIDA Oct 29th– This game almost ALWAYS decides the SEC East, and that could be the case this year. Something really needs to change for Georgia in this rivalry, and it needs to change soon. Richt was never able to win consistently in Jacksonville, but Kirby will get it done. And I think he starts in year one. Georgia wins, and Dawg fans will start to get excited at this point because UGA, Tenn, and Florida will all have 2 SEC losses. (6-2)

UGA vs Kentucky Nov 5th– This thing is getting long winded so let’s just say Georgia wins, but it’s close. There will be a little bit of a letdown after the big win in Jax., but they pull out the win. (7-2)

UGA vs Auburn Nov 12th– Georgia doesn’t beat Florida and Auburn in the same year very often. But times they are a changing, and Georgia wins this one placing Gus Malzahn on the chopping block. I wonder who Auburn will hire after they fire Malzahn? There is no telling, but it will be interesting to watch. (8-2)

UGA vs Lousiana-LaFayette Nov 19th– Not much to say about this game. It should be another Georgia win, and hopefully an ideal afternoon on campus. (9-2)

UGA vs TECHIES Nov 26th– Man do I hate Georgia Tech. Not as much as the Gators, but it’s pretty close. One thing Mark Richt did well was beat Tech. In fact, coaches that don’t beat Tech typically don’t hang around too long at UGA. Jim Donnan was a good coach, but he just lost to Tech too many times. Under Paul Johnson, Tech’s offense has always been a little scary. Especially, if you let them hang around and keep the score close. The best way to beat Tech is to score. Once they get behind, they have to pass the ball, and they don’t do that so well. Georgia wins this game and finishes off the year with only 2 losses surprising a lot of people. (10-2)

Just like last year, I have predicted Georgia to finish 10 and 2. Granted, I was wrong, but I was damn close. Even though we know so little about the team and the new staff, I still think good things will happen this year. For example, last year Georgia suffered a devastating knee injury to their best player along with mediocre QB play, but they still managed 9 wins. Many of you will read this blog and laugh at a 10 and 2 prediction from an unapologetic “homer” like myself. In all likelihood, most educated fans probably project Georgia to an 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 record. Hell, I even had one person tell me they would go 7 and 5 to which I replied “you’re an idiot”. Let’s just hope I was right about his idiocy. On the other hand, I understand that it might seem unlikely for a first year coach to do so well without a definitive starting quarterback. But when you sit down, and look at UGA’s schedule you will see they could feasibly win them all thanks to the weakness of the SEC East. So bring on the criticism, and call me the idiot. And maybe you’re right, but maybe you’re wrong. Go Dawgs! 12 Days !

I started this blog a little over a year ago, and one of the first football topics was “Who is Going to Play Quarterback.” Well here we are a year later, and while there is a new coach and a new 5 Star quarterback we still don’t know who will take the first snap against North Carolina. At this time last year, I was cautiously optimistic about Georgia football. Looking back now, I realize that during most of the Mark Richt Era my optimism could be classified as a “false front”. I tried to see the glass as half full, but I never really believed it. I would talk a big game about how Georgia could win, but in many cases I knew I was I kidding myself. In my gut, I always knew Georgia would lose the big game or falter at the wrong time. So here I am again, feeling good about the season, but I can honestly say it is a more confident optimism. I don’t expect Georgia to go undefeated or anything, but I do believe good things are on the way.

All that being said, there are still a lot questions going into the season. In fact, there are probably more concerns heading into to this season than last year. For example, the defensive line is not very deep, Nick Chubb is coming off a bad knee injury, Sony Michel has a broken arm, and there is an entire new coaching staff. Most importantly, we still don’t really know who will play quarterback. So let’s take another look at the quarterbacks and speculate as to who will play.

First of all, I think it is fair to say that Brice Ramsey is not going to start. No offense to Brice, but if he couldn’t win it last year than he is not going to win it this year. So that leaves us with Greyson Lambert and Jacob Eason. By now, all Dawg fans know about Jacob Eason. He is a highly touted recruit from Washington State, and many fans are ready to proclaim him the starter. Jacob had a pretty good spring game in April, and all the fans fell in love. He is without a doubt a very talented young man, but he sure is young. On the other hand, there is Greyson Lambert. Greyson did a solid job last year, but he really didn’t do anything spectacular after the South Carolina game, but what a game it was. Greyson completed 24 of 25 passes for 330 yards. He also set a NCAA record for completion percentage with 20 complete passes in a row. I remember thinking that Georgia had found its quarterback after that game, but he never really returned to that form last season. Subsequently, Georgia lost badly to Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. And now Mark Richt is down in Miami, and Kirby Smart is in charge. However, this is not Greyson’s fault. Last year he managed games fairly well and made good decisions, but he lacked big play ability. In Lambert’s defense, the entire offense seemed to struggle at times last year, and that could easily be attributed to coaching or injuries. Now it seems all the fans are ready to push Lambert aside, and anoint Eason the new king. But as Lee Corso often says, “not so fast my friend.” Jacob Eason is undoubtedly very talented, and he will be given every opportunity to win the job. But I just have a hard time believing that Kirby Smart is going to let a true freshman take the first snap in the Georgia Dome against UNC. If that ends up happening, well than you can color me surprised.

In my opinion, Lambert will start against North Carolina, and we will see Jacob Eason play as well. I am no football coach, and I have no insight from practice of course. But I just find it hard to believe that the coaching staff would put Eason in that situation so early. Ideally, we will see Lambert start the game, and have some success. Then Jacob will be given an opportunity in the first half once the game settles in a little bit. Ideally, Eason will have some success as well, and be allowed more playing time throughout the game. I fully expect that Eason will win the job eventually, but not by the first game. Georgia has had some great quarterbacks through the years, but I can’t recall one true freshman that started his first game. Eric Zeier didn’t start his first game. Matt Stafford didn’t start his first game either, and both were just as highly touted as Eason. So get excited about the future, but get behind Lambert as well because he is the present. Go Dawgs! 30 Days!

It is now the beginning of August, and kids are either back in school or getting ready to start. The summer is almost over, but it hasn’t cooled off in the slightest. And it probably won’t for a month or two. Historically, this time of year marks the slowdown of the Athens real estate market at least with regards to residential homes. However, I will say that this year may be unique because things haven’t slowed down quite yet. There are still plenty of buyers in the market, and a surprising number of homes are still going up for sale. Long and short, our local market seems to be generally strong despite a few areas here and there or difficult price points. Overall, we have seen most properties continue to appreciate over the last year. Especially, when it comes to the in town neighborhoods. Which is great news of course, but what is causing our values to go up? Will it continue? Will it not? No one has a crystal ball of course, and there are numerous factors that create our market many of which are on a national level. I don’t know who is going to be President, and I don’t know what will happen to interest rates. I can certainly make an educated guess, but that would be all. However, I do know our area market, and I think the best way to understand all this appreciation is to focus on the local factors that are influencing our market.

First of all, let me make it abundantly clear that low interest rates are a MAJOR reason for our strong real estate market and increased values. Money is cheap right now, and people should take advantage while they can because it will not last forever. While interest rates are a big factor, they are not the only factor. For instance, not every real estate market is strong right now even with the low interest rates. But here in Athens, we have a lot going for us which really helps our real estate. Earlier, I mentioned in town neighborhoods where homes are achieving the highest per square foot in the area. This is actually not a new trend. As an example, 5 Points has always had strong value relative to other areas of town. It is highly desirable, and land is scarce. The same can be said for our Normaltown and Boulevard neighborhoods. Nowadays, Athens is a great place for retirees, families, and young professionals. Which is truly unique for a town the size of Athens. People are flocking to our small little city because it can offer a high quality of life. Retirees want to be in town, and many of them can afford to pay for it. Meanwhile, we are seeing just as many young families come to Athens or Oconee from the Atlanta area. In some cases, they are even willing to commute into Atlanta everyday just to live in Athens. This is all great of course, but I do worry if too many move here we may just become another Atlanta suburb. Scary stuff! Another factor that has always helped the Athens economy is the University. Our local economy is not massive, but thanks to UGA it has some real stability. UGA is our biggest employer, and it is the primary engine that drives commerce. The students are wonderful customers to many of our local establishments. Downtown would likely be a ghost town without them. Here in Athens, we sell students most of their clothes, gas, entertainment, housing, and food. Which reminds me of a local business owner who once told me a story about buying a car in Athens. He said, “the car salesman told me that the university didn’t help his business at all”, to which he replied, “where the hell do you think I got the money to buy this car you dumb@$$? I got it from selling ice cream to college kids!” To further my point, most of the people that want to move to Athens went to UGA, and love Athens because of the time they spent here in school. In summary, Athens offers a somewhat stable economy in a highly desirable town. Meanwhile, land is scarce in most of the in town neighborhoods which creates a demand with limited supply. Conversely, our neighboring counties have an abundance of land, but also have great schools, achievable home values, and they are right next door to our great city.

To sum it all up, we are really fortunate in Athens. There many other things I could discuss that influence our market, but I think you get my point. Besides, I have run on for long enough. Regardless, this doesn’t mean that you can buy any house in any location and see appreciation. The same rules will apply to any wise purchase. First, think about the location which is always the most important factor. Next, you need to consider the supply in your area and the comparable values. Lastly, think carefully about the schools, and how many buyers will want your house when you need to sell. It is much easier to make a bad decision in a strong market. Thanks for reading, and get excited because we are 31 days away from Georgia football. Go Dawgs!

We are right in the middle of July, and the heat is becoming unbearable. Nevertheless, I can sense that fall is around the corner because football is getting close. With that in mind, I thought I would get back to talking some college football. SEC media days is this week, and all the coaches in the league are being interviewed. Therefore, I thought it might be fun to create rankings for all the coaches. Below are my personal rankings of all the SEC coaches starting with #1 as of today. I am sure you will not agree, but that’s what makes it fun.

Nick Saban, Alabama– Without a doubt, Coach Saban is at the top of the list.
Nick Saban, Bama

Despite numerous national championships and SEC titles his reign at Alabama doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. Maybe another school in the league will finally step up and do something about it. Only time will tell.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State– Well here is my first surprise on the list. I am sure you probably thought #2 would be Les Miles. But in my opinion, Dan has done the most with the least since he has been at Mississippi State. Lewis Grizzard use to say, “the best way to get to Starkville, Mississippi is to go to the middle of nowhere and turn right.” This is not an easy place to win, and he has done a lot of it while keeping his nose pretty clean. His teams play hard, and don’t penalize themselves which makes him a darn good coach.

Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss– I sort of feel the same way about Freeze as I do about Dan Mullen. The only difference is the possible NCAA infractions that have occurred at Ole Miss. Right now, these are just accusations, but the Laremy Tunsil debacle was embarrassing. I am not sure Freeze’s success will continue much longer. But for now, what he has done is impressive even it hasn’t been totally compliant with the NCAA.

Jim McElwain, Florida– He has only coached at Florida for 1 year, but that 1 year
Jim McElwain, Florida

sure did impress me. He coached a team to the Georgia Dome that had virtually no offense and no kicking game whatsoever. He came back to beat Tennessee, whipped Ole Miss, and then embarrassed my beloved Bulldawgs. He can even take some of the credit for Mark Richt being fired. Many folks tried to turn on him when he chewed out his player on the sidelines. But what I saw was a coach that wasn’t going to tolerate stupid and selfish penalties anymore. In my opinion, his players responded to that incident which is exactly what he intended.

Kirby Smart, Georgia– Just solely based on the “G” Day game and recruiting, and I think he is 5th right now. The man hasn’t coached 1 game, and who knows if Georgia will win, but right now it is obvious that he can lead. So he is number
Kirby Smart, UGA

5 because he has no negatives on the resume. But that could change come Sept. 3rd. Remember this is as of TODAY, and I am a total homer when it comes to Georgia. Besides, if you don’t like UGA then why are you reading this blog.

Les Miles, LSU– Finally, here is the “Mad Hatter”. I know you are probably thinking how can a man with a national championship be #6? He has won a lot games for sure, but his inability to find a quarterback or even have decent QB play is a big strike against him. It is the
Les Miles, LSU

most important position on the field, and he just can’t coach it. He is now the most senior coach in the league at one school, and that probably means he won’t be there much longer. Maybe he is just suffering from the Saban effect or maybe it is time to move on.

Brett Bielema, Arkansas– This fellow has won in the Big 10, and had some decent success in the SEC. But he just can’t quite seem to put it together for a whole season. There is no doubt he can coach, but I think he is going to keep Arkansas right in the middle of the league.

Butch Jones, Tennessee– This guy has definitely worked hard to get Tennessee back to relevance. However, his signature wins are over South Carolina and
Butch Jones, Tenn

Georgia. And let’s be honest folks, beating UGA under Mark Richt was not a rare occurrence. Sorry but it’s true. Lastly, there have been some ugly off the field issues in Knoxville under his watch.

Will Muschamp, South Carolina– This guy is a heck of a defensive coach, and his teams at Florida played hard and were tough. But he failed to find an offense while at Florida. I think he might give it more attention now that he is at South Carolina. Regardless, the Gamecocks will be good on defense and play 4 quarters of football.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky– This guy has a tough gig that is kind of similar to coaching basketball at Georgia. He hasn’t done much while at Kentucky, but I just really wanted to make sure Gus Malzahn wasn’t in the Top 10.

Gus Malzahn, Auburn– Highly overrated! That is all.

Gus Malzahn, Auburn

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A & M– Possibly More Overrated! That is all.

Derek Mason, Vanderbilt- I really think this guy can coach. But it is just so hard to make a real winner at Vanderbilt. I use to like that Vandy was in the SEC. It’s a great school in a great town. But lately I have met some real arrogant “A” holes from Vanderbilt. I can promise you that if one more Vandy fan insults my intelligence because I went to Georgia then I am going to show them just how stupid I can be while applying my right hand to their jaw bone. I’m just kidding, but not really.

Barry Odum, Missouri– This man might be way up the list very soon. He is taking over for a very accomplished coach in Gary Pinkel. He seems to have a lot of respect from his players. I hope he does well, but not well enough to beat Georgia or make it to the dome.

I am sure that by now you have heard about 93K day, and if you haven’t then you probably aren’t likely to read this blog. But just in case you didn’t know, Georgia’s new head football coach, Kirby Smart, has challenged the UGA fan base to pack Sanford stadium with 93,000 people for next week’s annual spring game on Saturday April 16th. At first, this might seem a little ridiculous. I mean 93,000 people to watch a glorified scrimmage? But when you think about it, maybe it’s not ridiculous at all. In fact, it might prove to be a fantastic idea and a new spring tradition here in Athens. Personally, I’m excited about it, and our tailgate group has plans to tailgate on campus before kickoff. At this point, we are expecting over 50 people, but I hope to see more. I know that coming to Athens is not easy or cheap for many families, but if you are a dawg fan then I really hope you can make it happen. With that in mind, I decided to write a blog on the subject, and identify 10 good reasons people should attend G-Day.

Be a Fan and Be a Good One-The first one is easy enough. Just ask yourself these questions. Are you a dawg fan? Do you love Georgia football? If both your answers are yes then what the hell man? Bring it on!

New Life in the Program– There is a new man on the job, and in case you hadn’t noticed, he is working his butt off for you. He is working hard to change the culture around the team and the fan base. He needs as much support as he can get. And now he has asked for the support so let’s give it to him.

Tailgating is Fun– Tailgating is one of the great traditions in college football, especially in the south. It is hard to explain why we enjoy it so much, but we just do. I encouraged my group to tailgate for this game and we are looking forward to it. I encourage you do to the same. I just hope the weather cooperates because it sure didn’t in the fall.

Athens in the Spring – The game is on April 16th, and April is a damn fine month to be outside. Here in Athens, the azaleas are blooming and the color green has returned. With a little luck, the 16th will be a great day. Or as Jeff Danzler would say, “A Chamber of Commerce Day”.

Recruiting- Recruiting is crucial to any sport at any school, and recruits want to go where the energy and support are tremendous. There is a good reason the same schools and programs seem to win the most games. It’s because they care the most. I’m not saying that we have to go overboard. But a little more positive energy can go a long way.

The Cost- You know what else is great about G-Day? It’s free to go in the stadium and watch. It may cost you money to come to Athens, but it won’t cost you anything to get in the stadium. G-Day is a great chance to take your kids in the game and let them enjoy all the hoopla. You don’t need a ticket or a UGA student ID. Just show up.

New Head Coach and Staff– There is a whole new staff in charge of the team, and next Saturday will be your first chance to see them and the new look of the team. Granted, it won’t be the same as a real game, but it will be worth seeing. In fact, ESPN thinks it is worth televising so why not come see it in person.

New Recruits and New Players- G-Day is always a great chance to see some of
Jacob Eason with Coach Chaney

the young players. This year many fans will be anxious to see Jacob Eason for the first time. But there are a lot players that the fans have not seen play. For example, the rising sophomore class is always important come spring time because come next fall they are expected to contribute.

Lots of Things to Do- The G-Day game is not the only activity going on next Saturday. The stadium will open at 1pm, and at 1:15 there will be a UGA alumni flag football game. The Dawg Walk will be at 2:45, and there is rumor of a short pre-game concert. Later in the day, the Diamond Dawgs play South Carolina at Foley Field.

Get on the Band Wagon or Stay the Hell Off – During the Richt era, we saw some good and some bad. But by the end, too many fans were disinterested and fed up. But there were also fans that supported Richt no matter what. Well next Saturday none of that should matter anymore. It is time for all the fans to get on the same page. And next Saturday is a great day to start. Look at it this way. There is no way that Georgia can lose.

It’s now officially 2016 and there is only one game left to play in College Football. You are probably already aware that Clemson and Alabama are the last two teams standing, and they will do battle next Monday night for the national title. Therefore, it feels like a good time to have one last post about the season along with a final game prediction. I am not really sure how to organize this post, but since this is technically an “Athens” blog there will surely be a strong focus on Georgia football along with a look at the rest of the country.

GEORGIA FOOTBALL

Wow, a lot can happen over the course of a season. Back in August, I had no idea Georgia would have a new head coach on Christmas day. But as the year went on I became convinced that change was needed, and even stated so on this blog after the Florida game. But how did this happen? Well, I have pretty much covered this topic in numerous other posts, but what the hell this is a “recap”. So let’s look at the bad first and then finish on a good note.

The BAD

Lambert in the Rain

This year was a tale of two seasons. The season before October and the season after October. Before October, UGA was undefeated and many fans were convinced that Lambert would be solid at QB all year. However, a strong rain system along with a team from Tuscaloosa changed all that on October 3rd. That day Alabama handed Georgia yet another humiliating defeat on national television. Despite that loss fans held out hope for the season. But the very next week, UGA lost Nick Chubb, and a 20 point lead on their way to a defeat in Knoxville. But the final straw came in Jacksonville on the 31st. The staff took a chance by starting the 3rd string QB which was an act of desperation that didn’t work. This humiliation along with similar defeats in years past proved to be the end. It really didn’t matter that Georgia won their last 4 games. The Florida game was the end, but at this point, there is no need to go back and criticize Richt or others on the staff. The administration called for a change, and moving forward Kirby Smart is the man, and now Smart Football is the word.

The GOOD

There were some good things to focus on this season. Overall, I think the change at head coach was needed for both parties. I wish Richt the best, and thank him for all the good he did here in Athens. But now, the program and the city seem genuinely excited about the future of Georgia Football. So for the time being, it was a good thing. On the field we saw some good as well. Let’s not forget that Georgia did win 10 games that included wins over South Carolina, Auburn, Tech, and Penn State. Not too bad for a year where the coach was fired. In addition, the defense had a good year and seems ready to improve under the new regime. Lastly, two players really impressed me as the year went on. Sony Michel does nothing but work hard and show up ready to play. Without him I am not sure

Number “5” Terry Godwin

Georgia wins 8 games this year. Of course, I am partial to the number “5”, but Terry Godwin became a real stand out freshman. And he capped off the season with a great bowl performance and should contribute even more next year.

The SEC

Overall, it seemed like a down year for the SEC. Georgia had 10 wins, but they were unimpressive wins. Florida won the east with no QB or kicking game. However, they finished the year with three loses to FSU, Alabama, and were killed by Michigan in the bowl game. Missouri and South Carolina were down as well. Tennessee seemed to improve, but they still lost too many games. In the west, Bama and Ole Miss were pretty good. But Auburn, LSU, A & M, and Arkansas were disappointing. In general, the SEC lacked good quarterback play and it showed. However, they went 8-2 in the bowl season, and Bama can still win the title. So maybe, just maybe the conference is still the best.

Coaching changes wound up being a huge story line as well. Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri will have new coaches next year. LSU thought long and hard about firing Les Miles. A & M has put Kevin Sumlin on the hot seat, and

South Carolina’s New Coach Muschamp

things are getting uncomfortable for Gus in Auburn. Essentially, we could see more coaching changes next year as well. Regardless, the conference should remain strong, but the East really needs to step up which I think will happen in the coming years.

The ACC

Clemson is very good, and FSU was solid but not great. We all got excited about UNC, but their bowl game performance was lackluster. Right now, Clemson is the class of the ACC, and I am not sure that is going to change anytime soon. We all know that Richt has gone to Miami, and he will make them better. But in the end, I think they will be an 8 to 9 win team under Richt. Virginia Tech and Virginia both made good choices with their new coaches. So these two teams may emerge in the coming years.

The Big Ten

I am sorry Ohio State fans, but you are going to have to win them all if you play a schedule like you did this year. There was just too much down time between the big games. Even so, Michigan State, Michigan, and Ohio State are good, and overall the conference is stronger. But Iowa is nothing to get excited about folks. It is good to see the Big 10 return because football needs them. But I am not drinking all the Kool-Aid on the Big 10 just yet.

The Pac 12

I made a mistake early in the year by picking the Pac-12 to be strong or dominant. I just don’t follow these teams well enough to have a good opinion. Truthfully, I am usually asleep by the time these teams play on Saturday. But I know Stanford is good, and the rest of the conference won a lot of bowl games as well.

The Big 12

I just don’t know what to think of the Big 12. Once I start to think Oklahoma is good they get destroyed by Clemson. TCU and Baylor are good of course, but they have a hard time making it to the big games. Texas may be looking for a coach next year as well. They played some good football over in the Big 12 this year, but their future just feels a little uncertain to me.

Final Game Prediction

If you have read this much than you are probably ready for me to quit writing. With that in mind, I am calling for Bama to win a close one. 24 to 20. I know, I know, I am not exactly going out on a limb. I think both teams will finally meet a good match, and in the end Bama is just a more veteran team. So there you have it, a recap of the year and a prediction for another Bama championship. The football posts will likely go on hiatus until next summer. In the meantime, I will get back to real estate talk. But if I can find a good topic on football I will probably post it. Happy New Year Folks!

If you have any comments or real estate needs in the Athens area, please don’t hesitate to contact me or visit my real estate firm, 5 Market Realty.

Well by now everyone has heard the news and it is finally official. Kirby Smart is the new head coach at the University of Georgia. The rumor circulated for far too long and then the hiring was reported days before the announcement. I have to admit I was a little nervous that it might blow up somehow. Being a Georgia fan my whole life, I can recall some other coaching hires that did not go so smoothly. After Dooley retired, things got a little crazy. Dick Sheridan, the coach at NC State, had apparently taken the job. But news got out early, and the next thing you knew he was staying at NC State. The obvious choice for many was Erk Russell, but he decided to stay in Statesboro for reasons not really known. Or possibly for rumors that I will not share here today. Finally, the job went to Coach Goff. Who is often the subject of criticism, but personally I always liked Coach Goff. UGA always had skill players in his day, but they remained weak on the line of scrimmage which ultimately cost Georgia too many games.

In the 90s, Coach Goff was fired, and Glen Mason was announced as the new head coach. Mason later flipped on his decision and went back to Kansas for family reasons. Nevertheless, UGA bounced back, and made a good hire in Jim

Former UGA Head Coach Jim Donnan

Donnan. Coach Donnan did a good job of elevating the overall talent and level of players here at UGA. In the end, he was fired as well which led us to Coach Richt. As you know, Coach Richt was fired on Sunday after the Tech game. Have you noticed a trend yet? I hope so. My point is that most coaches ultimately get fired. Only a select few get to walk away on their own terms. And in many cases those departures are still forced.

The firing of Coach Rich has been somewhat controversial in Athens. Truthfully, to say “somewhat” is an understatement. I can appreciate people’s feelings about Coach Richt and his departure. The man always led UGA with class while tirelessly working to help the young men he brought to Athens. He is a great man and a great coach, but I still feel his time needed to end here at UGA. I am sorry to those that disagree. In most cases, I have found that many of the people so ardent that Richt should have stayed don’t really know football. But they know Mark Richt the man. Mark Richt is a man to admire in many ways, and I really don’t think any can argue that point. The fact is that Mark Richt lost his job due to 7 years of under achievement. Call him a victim of his own success, but since 2007 his teams have consistently underachieved. 2012 seems like an aberration and don’t forget that season included a stereotypical ASS kicking from South Carolina. 10 Wins is not what it used to be plain and simple. And if UGA cannot win the SEC East in its current state then change is needed. Ultimately, I think too many dawg fans grew tired of watching their team get embarrassed in big moments on national television. Regardless, I am not interested in criticizing Richt any further. But here is the deal folks. He is not the coach at UGA anymore. He is the coach at Miami, and it’s time to get over it. Wish him well, but the past is past, and all Georgia fans need to get excited about the future.

Ok, no more Richt talk. Only smart things to say from now on. Did you see what I did there? Smart’s last name will surely be used in “word play” by many dawg fans in the coming years. There is really no way to know if this is a good hire, a great hire, or the dreaded bad hire. Only time will tell, but I am so excited I just about can’t stand it. I had no idea how ready I was to see something change, but I was apparently desperate for it. I think it is great that Kirby went to Georgia and is part of our Bulldog family. But that is not why he was hired. He was hired because of his resume. First of all, he is a great coach and recruiter. He’s coached on both sides of the ball, in the NFL, and at the top program in college football since 2008. The ties to Georgia are just a happy coincidence. Winning is a habit for some people. And when you work hard, and do the little things well you tend to have success. Alabama does the little things well. They don’t shoot themselves in the foot too often, and they are tough on the line of scrimmage. This is what Coach Smart has been a part of for years, and he is in the habit of winning. Furthermore, I have no doubt that Coach Smart will bring a new energy to the program, and a much needed toughness. But we all need to be realistic as well. Coach Smart has his work cut out for him. There is still plenty of talent here at UGA, but not as much as in the past. Coach Donnan made a good point on 960 the Ref this week. He asked the question, “who had better players in the program when they took over the job”. Did Coach Donnan have more than Smart? Did Coach Richt have more than Smart? The answer to both is yes. Both Donnan and Richt had more talent on the team than Smart. Please don’t misunderstand me. There is talent on the team just not as much as other times in the past. For example, UGA has a QB problem, a lack of depth on the O-line and at receiver. Inconsistent kicking along with an injured running back. So if you think Jacob Eason and Coach Smart can turn it around in 1 year you might be dreaming. I think Georgia will win next year, but it may be very similar to this year. An unimpressive 9 and 3, but I think 2017 could be a truly great year. This all depends on recruiting of course. But if you look back to Richt and Donnan, they didn’t really have big success until year 2. I think that will be the same for Smart. Generally, I just want Georgia fans to get on the same page and have realistic expectations for next fall. Kirby will get Georgia heading in the right direction, but he is probably not going to win every game next year. Nevertheless, I think he will win them all one year. So get excited and get behind your team. Go Dawgs!

If you have any comments or real estate needs in the Athens area, please don’t hesitate to contact me or visit my real estate brokerage firm, 5 Market Realty.

This blog hasn’t been up for very long, but if you have read even a couple articles you should be able to tell how much I love the city of Athens, UGA, and especially Georgia Football. While this blog is officially dedicated to Athens real estate, it is already apparent that Georgia athletics will always be a major topic for many posts. For me, it is impossible to live or work in Athens and not care about the university and its future. Here in Athens, we are so fortunate to have this great university right in the heart of our town. Small college towns are often unique and vibrant communities throughout the entire country. I am of course somewhat bias, but I don’t think there are any better than Athens, GA. The university brings so much to our town it is hard to really quantify. It impacts our entire economy, and therefore it also impacts our real estate and its value. With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to explore and discuss some of the ways UGA impacts Athens real estate.

First of all, the university brings stability to our local economy. UGA has an enrollment of around 35,000 students. That doesn’t include all the staff, and professors employed by the university which makes it an incredible employer and engine to the area. The university isn’t exactly the kind of employer that is going to pack up and leave either. If the University of Georgia goes out of business we will likely have bigger problems in the world than a lack of jobs. So it brings people and jobs, but how does that effect Athens real estate. Well obviously, it has a positive impact. There are so many ways that UGA influences the real estate market that it is hard to cover entirely. Maybe the best approach is to discuss UGA’s impact on residential, investment, and commercial real estate throughout the area.

Residential property is generally any property where people reside. This could include your house, a condo, or an apartment complex. But for the purposes of this discussion we will classify residential property as a house in a residential neighborhood. In previous posts, I have discussed residential markets in Normaltown and 5 Points. Both areas of town are seeing a good bit of renovation and growth in value. The driving factor behind this is location, and what makes their location desirable is their proximity to the university. On the other side of Athens, the university has a similar impact on the east side of town. As I mentioned earlier, the east side provides buyers with a different type of value. Basically, more bang for your buck. In addition, the east side is now home to the Veterinary Medical Center which is yet another example of the university impacting the area. UGA is the heartbeat of Athens. So many things center on it like employment, education, and entertainment. It is only natural that people would want to reside in close proximity. This creates a demand which in turn can increase property value. Nevertheless, residential neighborhoods that are located a little further out benefit as well. Just look to the growth in Oconee. The Watkinsville area has become a very desirable place to live thanks to the new homes and good schools. Many of the people that purchase homes in Oconee either work for UGA or have businesses that benefit from the school. So whatever the value of your home is today just be glad it is in proximity to UGA because if not it would likely be worth less.

In many cases, commercial and investment property can be thrown into the same category. Commercial real estate involves properties that are used for business purposes like retail stores, restaurants, or office space. Almost every business owner in the area has to have a commercial space to operate their business. For example, Athens is blessed with a unique downtown filled with bars, shops, and restaurants. Downtown Athens is located right next to UGA’s north campus which is a major reason the downtown area does so well. Every restaurant downtown depends on students, professors, and parents to make money. Every retail space downtown needs students to shop in their store. Every bar owner needs students to hang out in their bar to be successful. If you think about it, without UGA downtown Athens would likely have a lot of vacant space. In fact, how do think local retailers feel about Georgia football? If they are smart they want Georgia football to succeed. The better UGA does in sports the more people come to visit. Consider a restaurant owner or bar owner during the football season. They need that business to thrive, and without Georgia football many local businesses may not be here. But downtown is just one example of UGA’s impact on commercial real estate. Go a little further out, and look at the Alps road area or the development around College Station. Those are more examples of thriving commercial locations thanks to UGA. So remember the next time you are eating in your favorite restaurant that it is probably still in business thanks to the university.

While most commercial properties are often investment properties, many residential properties are used for investment as well. When it comes to rental or investment property the correlation with UGA is fairly evident. The student population provides a huge rental market in the area, and many people purchase residential properties to rent as an investment. This market can be a little tricky from time to time because rental properties and their income are more sensitive to outside factors. For instance, a property’s income will change over the years based on its age and the overall supply of housing. In the end, the same old rule applies. The better the location the more likely a property will have a higher return and higher value.

Here at 5 Market we are no different. We work with residential, commercial, and investment properties that all benefit from UGA. Truthfully, this information should be fairly evident to most people. But sometimes we all need a reminder of how lucky we are here in Athens. So be thankful to UGA, and be excited a new coach is coming. Because even Georgia football is important to our real estate.

Well I am sure by now you have heard the news. Mark Richt is no longer the coach at the University of Georgia. Well technically he still is, but he won’t be after the bowl game. Early yesterday afternoon it was announced that Mark Richt and Greg McGarity had mutually decided that Richt would resign. I know this is an unpopular decision for many Dawg fans. I fully understand why so many Georgia fans would feel this way. When a man like Mark Richt is asked to leave it is painful. But folks it was always going to be painful, and just like the Bruce Hornsby song, “That’s Just the Way It Is”. Mark Richt has a lot of class, and he has represented our state, our school, and our team in a fashion that few men could replicate. He is a man that you want to see win it all, but I think too many began to feel he was not going to win it all. The day after the Florida game I posted a blog called, “The End of an Era: Thanks for Memories Coach Richt.” It may have seemed a little premature to write such a post, but my opinion had finally changed about Richt after that game. Quite frankly, I was mad as hell after that game. It’s sort of embarrassing that I care that much, but I do. And many of you do as well, and that’s why this had to happen.

My change of heart was not created by one bad game. But the Florida game further proved what I would not admit for years. That the program was trending down and not up. And Georgia’s talent was either poorly evaluated or under developed for years. Ultimately after 15 years, I realized that Georgia had already peaked under Richt. It was a painful realization. I love Mark Richt, and I really believe he is the best head coach UGA has ever had. But he missed his window to reach the top. That window was open from 2001 to 2008. It was cracked open in 2012, but quickly shut again. He is still a great coach, and if wants to keep coaching he will get that opportunity. I would love to see him around UGA for years to come, but I am just not sure what he will decide. I said it before and will say it again. Thank you Coach Richt for all the things you did on and off the field for UGA, the city of Athens, and the young men you coached.

But like it or not Dawg fans there will be a new coach here in Athens very soon. No matter how you feel about this it is already done. So I suggest you get on board. I for one am excited about the future. Georgia football needs a new message and new leader. The fans need a breath of fresh air and a renewed enthusiasm for the program. I believe the next coach will find the program in good shape and positioned to succeed. Therefore, it is time to get excited. So who will it be? Let’s take a look at some candidates and examine some of their pros and cons.

KIRBY SMART- The rumors about Kirby have been swirling for at least a week.

Kirby Smart in Uniform Back in the Day

He seems to be an obvious choice considering he is an alumnus and considered one of the top coordinators in the country.

Pros- He is from Georgia and recruits the south very well. He should still have tons of love for his alma mater and a desire to see UGA win. He has learned from one of the best in Nick Saban, and one would think that UGA would get better on the line of scrimmage with Kirby.

Cons- He is unproven. Plain and simple it would be his first head coaching job. Is he truly ready to be the head dawg so to speak? Overall, there is just some uncertainty in his ability to handle the job.

Tom Herman Head Coach at Houston

TOM HERMAN – Many of you may not really know this guy. I have to admit I don’t know much either. He is the current head coach at Houston and coached with Urban Meyer. He is an offensive guy and seems to be a top of the line candidate for any job.

Pros- I think this guy would be a good hire. He has already been the top guy at Houston so he knows the job. He would bring a different offense to Athens and maybe that would be a good thing. This guy is going to get a top level coaching gig somewhere. Might as well be UGA.

Cons- He doesn’t know Georgia or the overall recruiting territory. And bringing a new offense to Athens could be a con instead of a pro. Overall, he may not be the best fit, but you really don’t’ know until you try something on.

Jimbo Fisher Head Coach at FSU

JIMBO FISHER– Seems hard to believe he would leave FSU, and I personally don’t think he would. But some people seem to think he isn’t real happy. Not sure about that, but I know Georgia has the money to hire him away.

Pro-He’s a proven winner and this would be a big SPLASH if he came to UGA.

Con-Let’s be honest this isn’t happening.

Gary Patterson Head Coach at TCU

GARY PATTERSON– This is probably the best coach not named Nick Saban in my opinion. I really like him, and the job he has done at TCU.

Pro- Proven winner and could really do great things with the resources here in Athens. This guy is my dream coach for UGA.

Con- The time to hire him was years ago. He would probably come, but not sure it is the best fit now. May have been in 2009.

MIKE BOBO– This one may be a bit of stretch. He has only been a head coach 1 year, and he worked hard to reach a 7-5 record. Personally, I like Mike Bobo and think he is great coach.

Pro- He knows the job, knows the area, and knows how to recruit.

Con-If you hire Bobo than why did you fire Richt? Besides, if I was Mike Bobo I would tell everyone that hated me and my play calls to kiss my A-S-S!

DOC HOLLIDAY– No I am not referring to the famous gunslinger and gambler. This guy is a good coach at Marshall.

Pro- Mainly his name. I would love a coach named Doc Holliday. Honestly, he is a great coach.

Con- He is almost 60 and probably not a good fit. A bit of stretch to get this job

ANYBODY ELSE– This refers to people we aren’t talking about or would think want the job. This is also what will make the next several days or weeks very fun.

Overall, part of me is sad to see the end of the Mark Richt era. But I know that this was the right decision, and I know Mark Richt is going to be just fine. I am excited to see what the future holds for my beloved Dawgs, and you should be too. My gut tells me that Kirby Smart is going to be the next coach. I have nothing to base this on other than my own opinion. Yes, I have heard some rumors claiming it to be true. But this is more of a gut feeling. I think he will be offered the job, and he will accept. Regardless, Georgia has an opportunity to get this right. I just hope they do, but only time will tell. Go Dawgs!

Last weekend was very entertaining for college football fans. There were many great games, and some unexpected upsets. Baylor, Stanford, LSU, and Utah were all in the Top 10 heading into the weekend, but by Sunday morning all 4 had suffered defeat. On the other hand, a couple of teams made statements and held off upsets. Alabama continued to impress with a decisive victory over Mississippi State which was probably the only statement of the weekend. Meanwhile, Clemson, Iowa, and Oklahoma State were able to remain undefeated despite scares from their opponents. But here is the deal folks. I am sick of complimenting Bama and Clemson on this blog. I don’t care about Iowa, and I am not wanting to talk about Ohio State. I want to talk Georgia football. So if you don’t like that than STOP reading.

Sadly, the Georgia/Auburn game which usually has SEC and national implications was barely a blip on the football radar. The game was relegated to the lowly 12pm slot as the opening act for the Miss State/Bama game. That’s right the Miss State game was bigger than Georgia/Auburn. I truly hope this was an anomaly.

Isaiah Mckenzie Scores Saturday

You may recall that last week I discussed the apathy around Athens for the game. While that was true, there was certainly no apathy at my house around game time on Saturday. I just can’t help but care, and I expect many of you are the same way. I have to admit that Georgia beating Auburn made my day. I smiled the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. But later that night I had to ask myself a question. Am I all of the sudden happy with Georgia Football? Do I still want changes? Have you asked yourself any of these questions? So let’s review the game, the pros, and the cons to see how to answer these questions

Sony Michel

THE GAME– The game was not real pretty but so what. I was glad to see Georgia win a game the way they did. It wasn’t easy and they faced adversity. In the end, they played well in the areas they needed too. They played soundly on defense, and probably won the game due to special teams which has been an area of weakness. The offense is not good, but they haven’t quit. They are still playing hard. As a side note, I think Sony Michel is one of my favorite Bulldogs ever. They are asking him to do an awful lot especially with a broken hand. But he just keeps playing hard and making plays. Georgia seemed to want it a little more Saturday and in the end they earned it. This is a good thing to see because the team hasn’t quit on themselves or the coaches. You have to admit that is an implication of good coaching and good kids.

On the other hand, Auburn is not well coached. Do you realize that Gus Malzahn’s entire reputation is built on 2 miracle plays over Georgia and Alabama? Their offense is not real inventive and it never really was to begin with. Basically, run left, run right, QB draw, & throw deep every so often. It’s not exactly rocket science. Furthermore, they should have never taken Jeremy Johnson out in favor of White Saturday. They don’t seem to have many good players either. Their situation at quarterback is way worse that Georgia’s. Way worse. I know many of us Bulldogs are frustrated but you know what? At least we are not Auburn.

THE PROGRAM & STAFF: PROS and CONS

In trying to answer the questions above, I figure the best thing to do is to break it down into Pros & Cons

PROS:

Class and Dignity-I don’t think anyone can argue that Mark Richt runs the program with class. You never have to worry about how he will run the program in this respect.

Recruiting- It seems that the coaches and program are in the process of another great recruiting class. This has often been the case in the Richt era.

Wins- Overall, the program has won about 70% of their games under Richt

Auburn- Mark Richt has won 8 of the last 10 against Auburn. That’s getting it done.

Georgia Tech-Richt has only lost to Georgia Tech twice. That is another example of him dominating a rival

Indoor Practice Facility- Georgia is finally showing some commitment to winning and is constructing an IPF.

Defense-You have to admit that overall this side of the ball is doing better now and seems ready to become dominant in the future.

CONS:

Florida-It seems that once again Florida is surpassing Georgia in the East. Here is a wakeup call folks. This is Georgia’s BIGGEST rival. They absolutely have to beat Florida to accomplish anything major in the SEC. Georgia has not done it enough under Richt.

Bad Losses- There are just too many of these especially recently. Bama, Tennesse, Tech, Florida, Nebraska, Colorado, Central Florida, and the list goes on. Georgia seldom beats good teams or pulls an upset.

Offense- Where did it go? Did it leave with Bobo?

Recruiting- This is a pro and a con. Georgia seems to recruit well, but they have too many misses. For example, QB this year and a total lack of depth especially on the O-line.

Staff Rumors- You can’t be sure what is true and what is not. But these rumors true or not are a good sign.

Lack of Titles: 2 SEC Championships since 1982. That is not good folks. I know Richt brought the last 2, but now it has been 10 years since the last one. A sure sign that something isn’t working.

Quarterbacks-An 18 year old from Washington is NOT going to fix it in 1 year. If you think so you are delusional.

I can do this all day with Pros and Cons, and I think it will come out about even. If any side may end up longer it would likely be cons. Don’t get me wrong, I like Richt, and I am not calling for his head. But if I am honest with myself, and whoever reads this blog. Well than I have to admit that I no longer believe Georgia will win it all or even another SEC with him in charge. I really hope I am wrong, and it wouldn’t be the first time. If only I could see my team win it just once. I would love for Richt to be the guy to make that happen, but I just don’t think he will. So I guess that I am not happy and I want change. Thankfully, I am not in charge. I do think Richt will be here next year, and I am going to be pulling for him and the team. But at some point, Georgia is going to have to decide if they like being pretty good or do they want to be GREAT!